AI Agents and How They Impact Education

AI agents are everywhere, quietly powering many of the digital tools we use every day. When Netflix recommends a movie, when your bank app flags a suspicious transaction, or when Siri sets a reminder for you, an AI agent is at work. These intelligent systems are woven into our phones, websites, and even classrooms now, helping to make our experiences faster, easier, and more personalised.

But what exactly are AI agents, and how are they changing the way we learn?

What Are AI Agents?

AI agents are intelligent computer programs that can think, learn, and act on their own to complete tasks or solve problems. They use artificial intelligence techniques such as data analysis, reasoning, and natural language processing to make decisions.

In simple terms, they are digital assistants that observe their environment, process information, and respond appropriately. For example, Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant are all AI agents that interpret voice commands to perform everyday tasks.

Why AI Agents Matter

AI agents are transforming how we live and work. They make complex tasks easier, handle repetitive jobs efficiently, and offer insights that improve decision-making. In education, healthcare, business, and entertainment, they’re helping people do more with less effort.

Their biggest advantage is personalisation; they adapt to users’ needs. In learning, that means every student can progress at their own pace and get help precisely when they need it.

The Concerns: Are AI Agents Dangerous?

While AI agents can be incredibly useful, they also raise important concerns. If not properly managed, they can:

• Spread misinformation by generating inaccurate responses.
  
• Show bias when trained on unfair or incomplete data.
  
• Violate privacy if they collect personal information carelessly.
  
• Reduce human thinking when people depend on them too much.
  

It’s important to remember that AI agents don’t “decide” to be harmful; they only act based on their design and data. To guard against risks, developers and users must ensure ethical design, human oversight, and responsible use.

AI Agents in Education

In classrooms and online learning platforms, AI agents are already changing how students learn and teachers teach. They:

• Personalise learning: Some AI agents act as personalised learning assistants, guiding students through topics, answering questions, and adjusting lessons to match each learner’s pace. Tools like uLesson’s “Ask” feature and Khan Academy’s Khanmigo make it easier for students to get help whenever they’re stuck.
  
• Provide instant feedback to help students understand their mistakes, like Duolingo’s “Explain My Mistake” feature.
  
• Assist teachers with grading, lesson planning, and identifying struggling learners. Platforms like Gradescope and Turnitin use AI to assess essays, quizzes, and written work, providing quick and consistent feedback.

Learning analytics agents such as IBM Watson Education analyse students’ performance data and alert teachers when learners need extra support. By understanding individual strengths and weaknesses, teachers can offer more targeted help.

• Provide administrative assistance: Platforms like Moodle or Canvas have bots that assist with everyday tasks, such as registering for courses, checking results, and answering school-related questions, making learning management more efficient.

At Miva Open University, AI is already part of the student experience through MIND, an interactive academic assistant that helps learners think critically and communicate ideas clearly.

These tools make education more accessible and engaging, especially for learners across Africa and beyond.

The Way Forward

AI agents are here to stay, and they’re redefining how we learn. When used responsibly, they don’t replace teachers or students; they amplify learning by making it more personalised and efficient.

As AI continues to evolve, educators, learners, and institutions must focus on using these tools ethically and wisely. The goal isn’t to hand over learning to machines but to use them as partners that help us think deeper, learn faster, and achieve more.

Tools like MIND are designed with that vision, supporting students to study smarter and engage more meaningfully with their learning. It’s not just about technology; it’s about using AI thoughtfully to make education better for everyone.